Wish For Your Fellow Muslims Whatever You Wish For Yourself

One of the obligatory characteristics of faith is that the Muslim should wish the same things for his fellow Muslims that he wishes for himself. Likewise, he should hate for them whatever he hates for himself. If he lacks this characteristic, his faith is incomplete. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"In order to be a Muslim, wish for your fellow Muslims that which you wish for yourself." [Reported by Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ahmad]

Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever wishes to be delivered from the Fire and to enter the Garden should die with faith in Allah and the Last Day and should treat the people as he wishes to be treated by them." [Reported by Muslim]

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told me:

"Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak, and I love for you the same things that I love for myself. Therefore, never become an amir [a leader], not even over two persons, and never manage the property of an orphan." [Reported by Muslim]

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) advised Abu Dharr not to become an amir because he sensed his weakness and desired that those who were weak avoid positions of leadership. The Prophet, however, ruled over people because Allah gave him the necessary strength. In addition, Allah ordered the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to call people to obey him and to direct their religious and worldly affairs.

In the same vein, Muhammad bin Wasi went to sell a donkey that he owned. A man asked him: "Would you like for me to own it?" He answered: "If I didn't like it, I would not have decided to sell it."

This is an allusion to the fact that he did not wish for his brother in Islam what he did not wish for himself. All the above incidents are but examples of advice to Muslims, which is part of religion.

Utmost Goodwill

This hadith indicates that a believer is pleased with what pleases his fellow believers and that he desires for them the good that he desires for himself. This is a result of being completely free from holding grudges, cheating, and envy. The envious person likes to be superior to others and hates that others are superior or equal to himself. This feeling contradicts the Islamic faith, which stipulates that one should wish others to enjoy the same blessings that he enjoys without losing any of them. In the Quran, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has praised those who are not haughty towards others and hate corruption. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

"That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief (by committing crimes)." [Surah Al-Qasas, 28:83]